Goals and Resolutions for 2011

I usually write my New Year's goals and resolutions in my Daytimer - and, yes, even with all the techie gadgets in the world, I still like my nice leather bound organizer.  I might share the G&R's with my spouse, who will conveniently forget them, but the only person who really knows the promises I've made to myself is...well, me.

This year I'm going to try something different this year and post a few here.  Maybe the public declaration will give me extra incentive.  For clarification, I consider anything that's an ongoing behavior modification as a resolution and 'get it done and check it off' items as goals.  I don't include goals on this list that are not solely within my own power to make happen (i.e. get published). 

Goals

Finish re-writes/editing on Hunter’s Way (this is my top priority)

Find a crit partner(s) and/or beta readers (need to move beyond the friends and family network)

Start querying Hunter's Way (as soon as it's ready)

Go back to my half finished Sci Fi and start re-working it and/or start the new mystery story I've got bouncing around my head (after Hunter's Way is in the query stage)

Finish reading the Bible.  (This is a left over from 2010 when I decided to read the Bible straight through from cover to cover  - and, no, I'm not cramming for the final exam.  I'm not quite to the end of the Old Testiment so I'll be finishing this one in 2011.)

Lose 25 lbs. (My goal for 2010 was to lose 50 lbs. which I reached back in the fall, but I fell off the wagon and gained back a few so I've got to re-lose those and then move on to my original target.)

Resolutions

Develop a good work schedule for writing, blogging, marketing, etc. and stick to it (this will be a biggie as I adjust to not having a full time job to work around)

Blog M-W-F every week (still trying to find my stride on this)

Read one non-fiction book every two months - something that will stretch my brain (no, I don't count the books of the Bible - that would make it too easy)

Give blood every 8 weeks (I give now but not as regularly as I should)

Use food to alleviate hunger or as part of appropriate social engagements – not as a response to boredom,  frustration, depression, or as a procrastination device (obviously ties to the last goal mentioned)

Use exercise as a response to the above named conditions (this would really help that last goal)


Okay, I think that will do it.  I have a slightly longer personal list but some things are just not 'postable'.

Anyone have a resolution and/or goal they're willing to share?

I'm currently enjoying: Stay Tuned for Murder by Mary Kennedy

Groaner of the Day: (This is a long one but it cracked me up.) There is a monastery where monks have taken a vow of near-silence.  Each day begins with morning worship. The service starts when the head abbot comes in and chants, "Good morning."

The monks chant in reply, "Good morning."

They say not another word until evening vespers, when the head abbot comes in and chants, "Good evening."

The monks all reply in unison, "Good evening." Not another word is spoken until the next morning.

Several years ago one of the monks decided he had to break up the boredom of this routine. The next morning when the head abbot chanted, "Good morning," all the other monks responded, "Good morning", except the one bored monk who chanted, "Good evening."

Quickly, the head abbot sang in reply: "Some-one chanted 'evening'. He must be a stranger."

(admit it - you laughed)

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year's celebration and a healthy, prosperous, and joyful 2011.